Prime’s ‘impactful’ survival thriller based on true story surges up streamer’s charts

Zachary Levi in an orange jacket and black beanie stands next to a man in a blue cap and black jacket.

Prime has recently added the 2025 film Not Without Hope, and the survival thriller is based on the real-life shipwreck that claimed the lives of two NFL players

hile many of us prefer something easy to watch on the summer evenings, others enjoy something a little more high-stakes, and Prime has the perfect film for those who fall into the latter category.

The streamer has recently added Not Without Hope, a survival thriller based on the shipwreck that claimed the lives of NFL players Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith. The sole survivor of the accident, Nick Schuyler wrote a memoir based on the incident, which carries the same name.

After being added to the streaming platform at the start of the month, it has shot up the charts, at one point being the fifth most-watched movie on Prime. It has since slipped down a little, currently residing in the ninth position, behind other recent additions The Smashing Machine and Good Fortune.

The film’s synopsis reads: “A group of friends’ fishing boat capsizes during a storm in the Gulf of Mexico and they’re left alone stranded at sea and struggling for survival.”

Not Without Hope’s reception

Although it has soared on Prime’s charts, the movie has proven to be divisive with several fans complaining that moments in the movie weren’t “realistic”.

One noted: “The ocean scenes (which were 90% of the movie) were unrealistic as in no waves. At one point both men are calmly standing on the upturned boat. The ocean is oddly calm for a storm with zero waves,” while a second mused: “It was entertaining. It was not realistic though. The overturned boat would’ve been all over the place, but it was stationary while all around it was supposedly storming.”

Four men in wet, dark clothing struggle in rough ocean water.© Prime
Some fans had issues with the film’s realism

However, it did still attract plenty of praise, with one viewer penning: “I scrolled by it on Prime Video and thought ‘uh oh more B-movie trash’ but I dropped $5.99 and made some popcorn. The lost-at-sea gig has been done eleventy thousand times but… this movie smacks. Director Joe Carnahan made a banger on a $15m budget. It’s a true story too. Well worth your time.”

A second added: “Great movie! It’s a sad reminder that life can change in the blink of an eye and the will to survive can be a powerful thing,” while a third posted: “It was a very enjoyable and deeply moving experience from start to finish. Knowing that the movie is based on a true story adds an extra layer of emotion and authenticity that really stays with you. The cast was outstanding and brought the story to life beautifully.”

A man with short hair is being supported by another person in an orange life jacket in rough ocean waters.© Prime
Several praised the survival thriller

Critics generally enjoyed Not Without Hope, with Richard Roeper writing for Roger Ebert.com: “Not Without Hope is a respectful and impactful dramatic interpretation that feels true to the real-life events.”

Who stars in Not Without Hope?

The film is led by Zachary Levi (Shazam!), Quentin Plair (Welcome to Chippendales), Terrence Terrell (Giants), Josh Duhamel (The Callisto Protocol) and JoBeth Williams (Poltergeist).

Four men fishing on a boat© Prime
The film’s cast is led by Zachary Levi

The cast is completed by Marshall Cook (Shadow Force), Floriana Lima (A Million Little Things), Jessica Blackmore (Five Nights at Freddy’s) and Priya Jain (Vital Signs)